Timber spraying contaminated drinking water

PM - Tuesday, 28 September , 2004 18:29:40

Reporter: Annie Guest

MARK COLVIN: The political pressure over forestry policy can only intensify, after confirmation that chemicals used in the timber industry have contaminated drinking water in Tasmania.

State Government testing shows that a couple on a north-east Tasmanian property have been drinking water containing atrazine – a herbicide with known links to cancer.

The forestry company, Gunns Limited, uses helicopters to spray the chemical on its neighbouring plantation, and last month its contractor accidentally sprayed the couple and their property.

The incident follows other complaints of water contamination, but the State Government has refused doctors' calls for a moratorium on aerial spraying, as Annie Guest reports from Hobart.

ANNIE GUEST: While intense political debate over yet unseen Coalition and Labor forestry policies continues, the Tasmanian Government and Gunns Limited have been reluctant to inform the community about the incident last month at Wyena, in the north-east.

Today in Parliament, 20 minutes after Opposition parties began questioning the Premier about it – who said he knew nothing – his Primary Industries and Water Minister, Steve Kons, admitted he was aware of the problem.

STEVE KONS: The Spray Information and Referral Unit collected three water samples on the 20th of August. These samples were collected from a temporary stream flowing from the coop (phonetic) and onto the Carpenters' property, a dam at the bottom of the property and one from a depression in a target area. All three tests gave positive readings which exceeded the Australian drinking water guideline.

ANNIE GUEST: Howard and Michelle Carpenter were collecting firewood when they and their farm were accidentally sprayed with atrazine by a Gunns contractor six weeks ago.

They both felt unwell, and are now having medical tests after learning from a Government official their drinking water has also been contaminated, after initially being assured it wasn't.

HOWARD CARPENTER: Well, they phoned us yesterday afternoon to let us know that there was atrazine in our drinking water, so immediately we were just completely shocked. Michelle's been distressed all night crying and we've been to our doctor and had urine tests and tomorrow for blood tests… we have to go and see a neurologist to see whether everything's okay in that respect… but we could have been drinking this water for six weeks.

ANNIE GUEST: Howard and Michelle Carpenter are new to Tasmania and say they want the spraying to stop.

HOWARD CARPENTER: We were drawn here for the clean, green idea, but it's more like a third world country, the way this is happening… I could expect it in Indonesia or South America, but not in Tasmania, not in Australia, for sure.

MICHELLE CARPENTER: They come here today saying the praises of atrazine – that it's not this and it's not that – what a load of bull.

MICHAEL AIZEN: Well it certainly confirms our suspicions, and it really adds urgency to the call that we've been making over the last few months – that there really should be a moratorium on aerial spraying, certainly near well defined water catchment areas, until the processes and guidelines can be properly reviewed and implemented.

ANNIE GUEST: Are you concerned that this could be a widespread public health problem?

MICHAEL AIZEN: I think what we're going to have to do is look at not only inquiry into what's happened at St Helen's, but review practices all around the State to determine whether in fact it is a widespread problem or not.

ANNIE GUEST: But the Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Steve Kons, says that's not necessary.

STEVE KONS: Well I think the AMA should be focusing on other responsibilities of theirs, and this is a state issue, and it's my department that's working on this matter, and they'll be the ones resolving it.

ANNIE GUEST: So no temporary moratorium?

STEVE KONS: No certainly not. The contractors are aware of their obligations under the code.

ANNIE GUEST: It seems this is just one more case of suspected water poisoning in Tasmania. How concerned are you about this series of events?

STEVE KONS: I think you're misleading the public of Tasmania when you talk about water poisoning. I think that's been disproved.

ANNIE GUEST: In fact, he says the atrazine contamination levels are so low he'd drink the water himself.

REPORTER: You will drink the water?

STEVE KONS: I would drink it.

REPORTER: Why?

STEVE KONS: Because basically if the scientific evidence that was presented was that it was a limited risk.

ANNIE GUEST: After earlier ruling out a prosecution, the Minister now says investigations are ongoing. He says Gunns has been asked for an explanation.

Meanwhile, Gunns hasn't returned PM's phone calls requesting an interview, but in a statement says it's not been informed of any water test results that exceed the health value of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.